QCup Player

Guys, we need to calm down. Jake Turpin is a back-up dummy half. Andrew McCullough is our main hooker. When he is fit he will be in the side.

Now, let's get to the good stuff.

The most interesting thing so far about Turpin's fledgling career (and we're sorta seeing it here) is that I think far too much is being made of the opposing teams.

It's just silly in my opinion and it goes to show what I'm currently finding fascinating about how fandom and those internal to a sporting organisation can be worlds apart.

Let's borrow Jake Turpin, just for a second, from his impending godhood.

He made his debut against the Titans last season. He played 46 minutes, had a line-break assist, a try assist and made 32 tackles (including a hit on Mitch Rein which made the highlights reel).

Pretty respectable. After the match, do you think the Broncos coaching staff sat down with him and said "Sorry Jake, despite making an impressive debut and helping us to a 34-0 victory, it doesn't count because it was against the Titans. Let's see how you against the Roosters."

On what planet are we living on where that sounds even remotely plausible?

Reflecting on his performance post-match with the coach, even last night, I would be shocked and stunned if the Manly Sea Eagles were even mentioned... most likely it revolved around his shaky start, the penalties as well as his contributions to the win.

I get the fact the other side is a big deal for some fans but it's still puzzling to me.

Let's play this silly game until the end. If we get belted next week by the Roosters, is he on par with Macca? He achieved the same thing a few weeks ago. An agonising one point loss? A lucky win in the last minute?

Does that count?

My friends and brothers, we need to stop this. Yes, the opposition is a factor but I'd argue it's not even a significant one in determining the worth of a performance.

I thought he did pretty well in front of a massive crowd on a big occasion. That's something no one is talking about lol. Go figure.

QCup Player

Great to see the Turpinator get a win and prove a few doubters initially wrong and also playing the full 80 with little noticeable issue.

Wasn’t fantastic in that he put us under pressure with some nervous energy penalties, perhaps amplified even more if he was aware of the Segeyaro signing and thinking he had to win the game by himself, but after the first 20 when
he and the rest of the side settled down and got into it, things flowed better.

Still the odd clunky tackle play where he’d run back the other way and no one knew what he was doing, but put that down to unfamiliarity rather than abandoning any game plan. But his runs were mostly purposeful and, if only as he’s still an unknown quantity, his runs created some doubt in the defensive line which is what you need.

Tackling I noticed he went high a fair amount so he needs to be mindful to not get thrown off being a smaller guy, but there was no doubting his intensity. Really good to see.

Passing was very good after some head-highs (let’s not kid ourselves, Macca still does it way more often than a 250 gamer should too) and there was a lot more cutouts which allowed quicker ball movement. Would’ve been interesting to see how that kick out dummy-half ended up had Cummins not been in the way.

Something also tells me that without McCullough there and Dearden being a rookie half (who was very good again, won’t be long before he’s killing teams), it allowed Milford to take almost full control which reaped many rewards

Overall, a great return for him, but like the rest of the team, big and real test this week coming. Hope he kills it, and while Segeyaro is obviously a talented player, I don’t want Turpin getting benched or usurped too quickly. Let’s see how well he can gel with his forwards and Milf/Dearden

Unless he and Seggers are legit terrible, I don’t want Macca walking straight back in the second he’s fit, even though I know that’s what will happen

I can't think of ANY circumstance where Macca should return to the team. Sure, he racks up tons of tackles. Yet, in the bigger scheme of things, that seems to means dick. The few games we've been spoiled to have enjoyed without him were some of our best defensive efforts.

Seibold implying he's taking a break with his injury makes me nervous. He should've been shopped to a Japanese rugby club in return for a bucket of squid after the Dragons drubbing last season.

Agree, I’m not sure if he’s the final answer either, but he’s definitely a better answer than Macca. I’m actually more intrigued to see both him and Segeyaro do in the role, I don’t think Turps is ready for 80 mins every week and I also think injecting someone like Segyaro as an impact player might be the X factor we’ve been sorely missing.

QCup Player

Agree, I’m not sure if he’s the final answer either, but he’s definitely a better answer than Macca. I’m actually more intrigued to see both him and Segeyaro do in the role, I don’t think Turps is ready for 80 mins every week and I also think injecting someone like Segyaro as an impact player might be the X factor we’ve been sorely missing.

It's funny how Seibold's plan is now what pretty much every fan and commentator has been telling him to do all season. If this continues we'll shortly see Boyd joining Macca in the consumer seafood game.

NRL Captain

I can't think of ANY circumstance where Macca should return to the team. Sure, he racks up tons of tackles. Yet, in the bigger scheme of things, that seems to means dick. The few games we've been spoiled to have enjoyed without him were some of our best defensive efforts.

Seibold implying he's taking a break with his injury makes me nervous. He should've been shopped to a Japanese rugby club in return for a bucket of squid after the Dragons drubbing last season.

NRL Player

I was at the game last night. I have to tell you the joy of seeing Boyd's try and the whole team come together to celebrate it was magic. The try was special for me as it was manufactured and executed by the 4 spine players. Turps, to Tommy boy, to Milf and the kick to Boyd. I know it's early days but to see the spine working together again gave me a sense of relief, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

QCup Player

What worries me about all this uptalk about Turpin is that its symptomatic of the way we appraise players as fans. This week Turpin is the new lockyer. Next week he won't be able to do anything right. I watched it time and again. Wallace was first scapegoat to cop it. He fell foul to the new lockyer: Hunt. Then Hunt fell to Knik. Knik to Dearden. Now, Macca to Turpin.
Players give way to rising stars. This much is true. But at the expectation of some round here, they would struggle to see a season through, not as first graders but their careers.
Why must we continue to do this? Turpin had a good game, not a great one. He played against a team struggling to field any 13, let alone a strong one. They competed heroicly but lost because we played better, as a team. It wasn't for 80 minutes though and it wasn't without fault.
He is the first picked hooker for now, and if he plays for the remainder of the time he has until Macca gets back then: sure he will have earned that spot. What he doesn't need is any added pressure or expectation to be more than his role requires.
We shouldn't judge him or anyone else in the team by more than they can give to their role, but also as part of the team. What I found most positive about that whole game was the way players surrounded Boyd after the try. It showed not only that they looked up to him as their leader, but that they were together in doing so. It means we might see them gel as a group. No individual effort good or bad means as much as that.